Feb
14
Watch this video to see how residents are lighting up their dark homes with plastic water bottles. Video Parents, I’ve used this concept as a science article summary with one of my summer tutoring students. There are various documentaries on this invention, but this video is the clearest one I’ve seen. Here are some ideas for using this video: …
Permanent link to this article: http://claritylearning.net/elementary-school/a-brilliant-idea/
Jan
25
I am so impressed with the California Community College online application system (www.cccapply.org). I have attended Irvine Valley College and Saddleback College, and I amazingly still had my username and password stored in my BlackBerry. I entered my codes and there I was: the system still had my personal data. All I had to do, …
Permanent link to this article: http://claritylearning.net/adult-learning/its-so-easy-to-apply-to-a-community-college-online/
Jan
19
We had a fun time at today’s “Fun Phonics, Fun Facts” session held at Saige Nicole’s Baby and Toddler Boutique. (http://www.saigenicoles.com/cart.php?m=blog_post_detail&id=14). One mom shared that while her three-year-old is eager read her “Bob Books,” she randomly guesses when she doesn’t know a word or has lost interest in reading. For instance, if the word starts …
Permanent link to this article: http://claritylearning.net/uncategorized/strategies-for-the-super-guesser/
Sep
11
(This is from my reply to a September 7 article in the Omaha World-Herald titled “Schools Redefine Homework.” http://www.omaha.com/article/20110907/NEWS01/709079949/0&frompost=1) As a tutor, I agree that children sometimes have an eye-popping amount of homework. But what some call “homework,” I call “practice.” It’s the practice of the concepts taught in school, and those concepts are what …
Permanent link to this article: http://claritylearning.net/blog/for-parents/thoughts-on-the-homework-conundrum/
Apr
25
Students who are dismayed by unexpectedly poor test scores can avoid this disappointment! Take a practice test and pretend you’re on Test Island, that lonely place devoid of notes, books, and tutor body language and hints. These invaluable quizzes will help you work out those steps and pitfalls that you thought you could navigate. You’ll help yourself recognize …
Permanent link to this article: http://claritylearning.net/blog/for-parents/make-practice-algebra-tests-quickly-with-the-holt-textbook-companion-site/
Dec
16
I recently created two more Quizlet quizzes to help my students practice their plural nouns and possessive nouns. Remember, Quizlet.com is a free flashcard and quiz creation site. You don’t even need your own account to practice! Plural Nouns : Using the LEARN feature, enter the plural spelling of the singular word. Possessive Nouns (Plural and …
Permanent link to this article: http://claritylearning.net/adult-learning/taming-the-possessive-nouns/
Dec
07
My primary through high school students often sigh, “Why are they torturing me with this writing assignment?” I know there’s a long tunnel between the basic five-sentence paragraph in primary school, the mind-wrenching AP English essay, the rapid fire SAT writing sample, and an adult presentation. But the skills and demands remain the same: make …
Permanent link to this article: http://claritylearning.net/adult-learning/concise-details-aren%e2%80%99t-just-for-student-essays/
Sep
21
When I think back on my various SAT/ACT prep sessions, I am repeatedly concerned about the amount of time I spend remediating/reviewing the basics of math, writing, and reading. I agree with the test publishers that families shouldn’t count on last-minute blasts of tutoring to improve a student’s score. Yes, there are strategies and “best …
Permanent link to this article: http://claritylearning.net/adult-learning/sat-act-cahsee-basics-table/
Aug
27
When a tutor is working with your child, your positive comments will make for a more effective session. Parents often hire a tutor to be a neutral third party in the parent/child homework skirmish. When the tension is already high, it doesn’t take much to turn a willing child into an annoyed one. That distraction detracts from …
Permanent link to this article: http://claritylearning.net/elementary-school/make-the-most-of-your-tutoring-time-quick-notes-for-parents/